As if on cue, the Slumdog Millionaire backlash has begun. First, some cinephiles started complaining after it won the Best Cast prize at Sunday’s Screen Actors Guild Awards, arguing that the film is not as great an achievement in acting as its competitors Milk or Doubt. And then the UK publication the Telegraph printed a story alleging that two of Slumdog‘s youngest actors were underpaid and otherwise exploited by the filmmakers. Director Danny Boyle and distributor Fox Searchlight quickly responded last night, saying among other things that “since June 2008 and at our expense, both kids have been attending school and they are flourishing under the tutelage of their dedicated and committed teachers. Financial resources have been made available for their education until they are 18.”
While it’s apparently true that these young actors (who play Salim and Latika at the beginning of the film) and their families have not become wealthy as a result of their participation in the movie, I doubt that any of this will have a major impact on Slumdog‘s Oscar chances. Maybe in a closer race it would have, but my hunch is that the film is simply too far in front to lose now over a minor controversy.
Here is part 2 of my OscarWatch interview with Boyle, conducted before any of this news broke (hence the big smile on his face). Here we discuss Slumdog‘s magical train-station shot of star Freida Pinto and why he fought with his leading man, Dev Patel.
More on Slumdog:
Slumdog Millionaire controversy: Does it change how you feel about the movie?
I dunno, Dave. I’m getting a decidedly Saving Private Ryan feeling about Slumdog. EVERYONE thought Ryan was way ahead, too, and a small, true actors film ended up winning. Doubt or Milk could play that role this time around, and I really think with the political climate, Milk has a healthy shot.
cargs,
what nick said.
except i’m thinkin button…
THANK GOD THE BACKLASH HAS BEGUN!!! I’ve been patiently waiting.
Still no Frost/Nixon love? It’s a great movie, but it’s release schedule was ridiculous, so hardly anyone has seen it.
Don’t forget that it’s still about a month to the Oscars. Plenty of time for the backlash to start. If it was a week or two. But plenty of time. Whether it means anything. Who knows. But movies in the past that have been looked at as a shoo-in for the award; lose. And SlumDog is such a frontrunner at the moment. It’s prime for a shocker. Remember Brokeback Mountain was winning almost all the awards and was expected to win the Oscar. But Crash shocked everyone. So don’t assume that SlumDog is too far ahead. Because until award night; it’s hard to know what will win…
I am just glad some backlash is happening. It was too cinderella tale for me. Something must be wrong with the movie. The hype is nausating!
I love backlashes. Great job !!!! Why reward a movie about poverty, when there are great mindblowing movies about Batman, a gay guy, a devolving man, and the perenial holocaust staple.
Slumdog is this years “Shakespeare in Love”. All hype, and no substance. And I love D. Boyle’s work ( Trainspotting, 28 Days Later)
“a gay guy”?
Classy.
I think Slumdog is a ok film I don’t think it deserves this much attention. Come on I love Boyle and we all know he has made better films. To think he could win for this film and not some of his better films. Last year ZODIAC was trampled at the oscars not even a nomination, this year they are giving Benjamin all the attention… Benjamin is not as good as ZODIAC… the winnder for Best Picture usually isn’t the best of the year of the most remembered in most cases.
Usually I don’t hop on the Backlash Train, but Slumdog is not even close to being the best picture of the year. It shouldn’t even be in the top 10. Let the backlash begin!
Am I the only one who thinks Milk wasnt that great. Penn, James Franco, and Emile Hirsch gave terrific performances but it was ok in my book. Button was just to long and very Forest Gump like in my book. Slumdog is the most deserving of all the candidates. Why the backlash the movie is very audience friendly. Sometimes it is good to throw an Oscar at a movie the masses liked.
ajaxxx, what?
i think you need help sorry
movie is not all about poverty its about love, hope,money,surviving,all about real life!!!!
THE MOVIE IS MASTERPIECE!
i hope it gets oscar or i will loose my faith on academy
It’s about damn time.
There were far better films – some of them not even nominated (Revolutionary Road, Dark Knight, and Rachel Getting Married come to mind.)
Of the five nominated, it should EASILY go to Milk and Frost/Nixon. Those are the best two nominated right now. Ben Button is just as overrated, really.
I LOVED Slumdog Millionaire. How could you not?
And the entire cast of Milk was fantastic but, like I posted before, some of old Hollywood doesn’t like the gay stuff. (see Ernest Borgnine/Brokeback Mountain)
I’m still trying to figure out all the love for Benjamin Button. I thought the 15-20 page short store was waaaay better.